By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Organic farmers or others who are looking for a chemical-free way to eliminate weeds in their crops may be happy to know that Mid Kansas Cooperative is partnering with Greenfield Robotics to provide early access to weed-control robots.

Weedbots would be used between rows after planting to manage pigweed, marestail, and other broadleaf weeds.

The two companies will work together on field trials for next-generation systems.

“Automation of mechanized processes on the farm are continuing to gain traction,” MKC chief operational manager Erik Lange said. “We are excited to be able to explore this growing part of agriculture with Greenfield Robotics. Greenfield is ahead of changes that may have a great impact on our customers, partners, and our industry.”

MKC thinks the future will involve multiple modes of cropping systems and will continue to invest in technologies that fit various types of production techniques, Lange said.

Peabody and Burns grain elevators are members of MKC, which has a wide geographic reach, including almost 20 co-ops in central Kansas. Mergers and acquisitions have expanded its reach to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.